Methods and apparatus for processing fluids

Abstract

A method for processing a fluid includes removably securing a retention member to a vessel that bounds a chamber; inserting a collapsible bag within the chamber of the vessel; securing the bag to the retention member so that the bag is supported within the chamber of the vessel; and dispensing a fluid into a compartment of the collapsible bag supported within the chamber of the vessel. The fluid can be mixed within bag while the bag is disposed within the vessel.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A method for processing a fluid, the method comprising:
 dispensing a fluid into a compartment of a collapsible bag, the collapsible bag being positioned within a chamber of a vessel, the vessel comprising:
 an encircling sidewall bounding the chamber and extending between an upper end and an opposing lower end; 
 a floor insert disposed within the chamber and dividing the chamber into an upper compartment and a lower compartment, the floor insert being formed separately from the sidewall and comprising a support wall disposed within the chamber and a support floor radially inwardly projecting from the support wall, the collapsible bag being at least partially disposed within the upper compartment and resting on the support floor; 
 an opening extending through the support floor so as to provide communication between the upper compartment and the lower compartment; and 
 an access port extending through the sidewall at the lower end thereof so as to communicate with the lower compartment, a drain line being coupled with the collapsible bag and at least partially disposed within the lower compartment; and 
 
 mixing the fluid within the compartment of the collapsible bag. 
 
     
     
       2. The method as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising:
 removably securing a retention member to the vessel; 
 inserting the collapsible bag within the chamber of the vessel; and 
 securing the collapsible bag to the retention member so that the collapsible bag is supported within the chamber of the vessel. 
 
     
     
       3. The method as recited in  claim 2 , wherein the retention member comprises a ring that at least partially encircles the vessel. 
     
     
       4. The method as recited in  claim 2 , further comprising the retention member comprising a plurality of catches and the collapsible bag having a plurality of alignment tabs, the step of securing the collapsible bag to the retention member comprises securing the alignment tabs to the catches. 
     
     
       5. The method as recited in  claim 2 , further comprising removing the retention member from the vessel and the collapsible bag while the collapsible bag remains within the chamber of the vessel. 
     
     
       6. The method as recited in  claim 5 , further comprising securing a lid to the vessel after the retention member is removed so as to cover the collapsible bag. 
     
     
       7. The method as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising rotating an impeller within the compartment of the collapsible bag to mix the fluid. 
     
     
       8. The method as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising:
 removably coupling a drive shaft to an impeller located within the compartment of the collapsible bag; and 
 rotating the drive shaft so as to rotate the impeller and thereby mix the fluid. 
 
     
     
       9. The method as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising:
 coupling a cart directly to a docking station, the vessel being supported on the cart, the docking station comprising a stand and a drive motor assembly mounted thereon; 
 extending a drive shaft from the drive motor assembly to an impeller disposed within the bag; and 
 rotating the impeller to mix the fluid within the compartment of the collapsible bag. 
 
     
     
       10. The method as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising:
 pulling at least a portion of the drain line through the access port; and 
 at least partially draining the fluid from the collapsible bag through the drain line. 
 
     
     
       11. The method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the vessel further comprises:
 a base floor radially inwardly projecting from the sidewall; and 
 the support wall of the floor insert freely resting on a top surface of the base floor. 
 
     
     
       12. The method as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising a slot passing through the support wall, the slot being aligned within the access port extending through the sidewall. 
     
     
       13. A fluid processing system comprising:
 a vessel comprising:
 an encircling sidewall bounding a chamber and extending between an upper end and an opposing lower end; 
 a support floor disposed within the chamber and dividing the chamber into an upper compartment and a lower compartment; 
 an opening extending through the support floor so as to provide communication between the upper compartment and the lower compartment; and 
 an access port extending through the sidewall at the lower end thereof so as to communicate with the lower compartment; and 
 
 a collapsible bag being at least partially disposed within the upper compartment and resting on the support floor; 
 a retention member removably secured to the vessel, the collapsible bag being secured to the retention member; and 
 an impeller disposed within the collapsible bag. 
 
     
     
       14. A fluid processing system comprising:
 a vessel comprising:
 an encircling sidewall bounding a chamber and extending between an upper end and an opposing lower end; 
 a floor insert disposed within the chamber and dividing the chamber into an upper compartment and a lower compartment, the floor insert being formed separately from the sidewall and comprising a support wall disposed within the chamber and a support floor radially inwardly projecting from the support wall; 
 an opening extending through the support floor so as to provide communication between the upper compartment and the lower compartment; and 
 an access port extending through the sidewall at the lower end thereof so as to communicate with the lower compartment; and 
 
 a collapsible bag being at least partially disposed within the upper compartment and resting on the support floor; and 
 an impeller disposed within the collapsible bag. 
 
     
     
       15. The fluid processing system as recited in  claim 14 , further comprising a base floor secured to the encircling sidewall at the lower end, the lower compartment being disposed between the support floor and the base floor. 
     
     
       16. The fluid processing system as recited in  claim 15 , wherein the support wall extends between a first end and an opposing second end, the support floor inwardly extends from the first end of the support wall, and the second end of the support wall freely rests on a top surface of the base floor. 
     
     
       17. The fluid processing system as recited in  claim 14 , wherein the encircling sidewall has a circular transverse cross section. 
     
     
       18. The fluid processing system as recited in  claim 14 , wherein the support floor has a frustoconical configuration. 
     
     
       19. The fluid processing system as recited in  claim 14 , further comprising a drain line coupled with the bag and being at least partially disposed within the lower compartment. 
     
     
       20. The fluid processing system as recited in  claim 14 , further comprising a retention member removably secured to the vessel, the collapsible bag being secured to the retention member. 
     
     
       21. The fluid processing system as recited in  claim 14 , further comprising a drive shaft removably coupled to the impeller.